Comparison of human dental and craniofacial maturation on prenatal profile radiographs

The present study reveals new data concerning the prenatal interrelationship between maturation of teeth and basicranial bones. By using radiographs of the mid-sagittal tissue segment of 43 human craniums, the developmental relationship between a well-defined stage of the central maxillary incisor development and the development of the basicranium was determined. Histological controls were performed to verify the radiographic findings. The study shows a close connection between the incisor development and the cranial development. Furthermore, comparisons are performed to the generally used parameters for prenatal growth, i.e. the crown-rump length (CRL) and the gestational age (GA). A thorough understanding of developmental interactions between the teeth and cranium is important for the understanding of normal, as well as pathological craniofacial development, including tooth development.